Transitional Support Scheme SOUTH WALES AND GWENT AREA

1
This project has received funding from the Welsh
Assembly Government
Transitional Support SchemeSOUTH WALES AND GWENT
AREA
Workshop Presentation for The Howard League for
Penal Reform Community Sentences Cut Crime
Conference 11th July 2006
2
What is the Transitional Support Scheme?

• A mentoring support service available to
  prisoners who have substance misuse (including
  alcohol) issues who are resettling in Wales
  following release from prison.
• Aimed at those serving less than 12 months.
• Focus is on practical resettlement needs via
  motivational encouragement / empowerment, ie
• Access to drug treatment.
• Homelessness.
• Employment/Training/Education.
• Relationship problems.
• Benefits/financial issues etc.

3
G4S Transitional Support SchemeSOUTH WALES AND
GWENT AREA
Mission Statement   To enhance an offenders
motivation to change in order to assist him or
her with community re-integration. To do this by
way of planning, connecting and encouraging
interaction with those who can best provide the
appropriate level and type of support as
determined by a mutual assessment of need.
4
Operational Function

• Mentors
• Referral
• Matching mentor / participant and flexibility to
  change
• Health Safety
• Risk Assessment (Task Participant)
• RAC Breakdown Recovery Cover
• Personal Protection Equipment
• PDA
• First Aid Kits
• Personal Alarms
• Contact Reporting

5
Operational Function cont..

• Casework
• Prison Contacts Experience of What Works
• Participant motivation issues
• Managing transfers
• Community / Home Visits
• Working with families
• Wide range of contact type
• Trends in Intensity of Support
• Individualised approach
• Developing knowledge

6
Our Team
7
Peer Advisory Panel
The G4S, TSS, Peer Advisory Panel (PAP) was
formally inaugurated in April 2006. Composition
Four volunteers who have been through the TSS
process as clients. Democratically
processed. Duties To attend monthly meetings
with TSS team to discuss continued development of
the scheme bringing with them their experiences
and ideas to promote its credibility amongst
service users. When appropriate, accompany the
TSS Manager to events and presentation.
8
Mentoring and Befriending Foundation Approved
Provider Status

• Funded by the Home Office, Awarding body sits
  within the
• Department for Education and Skills (DfES).
• Intense qualitative framework required by those
  who apply.
• Awarded to G4S TSS in April 2006 valid for 3
  years.

9
Performance reports and data

• Welsh Assembly Government Evaluation Report
  publicised March 2006 with very positive results
  for the service delivery and performance of G4S
  see www.wales.gov.uk
• South Wales and Gwent Area to date
• 425 males, 56 females
• Contacts 4640
• 85 Community Based

10
The future

• Current contract with the Welsh Assembly
  Government ends March 2007.
• NOMS / Custody Plus (Home Secretarys 5 year
  Strategy for Protecting the Public and Reducing
  Re-offending).
• SPV for facilitating Peer Group
  involvement/employment, providing formal
  infrastructure for purposeful and ethical
  employer practices whilst working towards robust
  service-user led programmes within the G4S
  Justice Services remit.

11
Transitional Support Scheme SOUTH WALES AND
GWENT AREA
QA